How To:
Clearing Heavy Blockage in the Main Drain:
A major block may be caused by large items failing into the drains, or tree roots breaking into the drain system. For any of the major types of clogs in the main system a heavy duty sewer snake should be used. The two types of large snakes are a hand operated or electrical powered snake. These items can be rented or purchased. This often is a job for a plumber. You do not want to damage the line running out of the house.
There are three ways to access a major clog:
- Lifting the toilet which is a procedure we have already covered will access most of the system.
- In most newer homes there is an outside clean-out plug to access most of the system. Just locate the cap, unscrew the cover and put the power snake through the system.
- Through the main roof vent for the entire system. This is the hardest to access and power tools can be a problem depending on the roof incline.
Clogged Drain Prevention.
To avoid clogging drains, use a drain strainer to trap food particles and hair; collect grease in cans rather than pouring it down the drain; pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain weekly to melt fat that may be building up in the drain; or weekly put some vinegar and baking soda down your drain to break down fat and keep your drain smelling fresh.
Plunger.
A time-honored drain opener is the plunger. This inexpensive tool will usually break up the clog and allow it to float away. It may take more than a few plunges to unclog the drain.
DO NOT USE THIS METHOD AFTER ANY COMMERCIAL DRAIN OPENER HAS BEEN USED OR IS STILL PRESENT IN THE STANDING WATER.
For grease buildup,
dissolve 1 lb washing soda in 3 gal boiling water and pour down drain. To avoid burns from boiling water, hold water container close to drain and pour slowly and directly into drain. For heavy grease buildup, use a commercial drain opener. Exercise extreme caution when using and follow label instructions exactly. (Commercial drain openers can also be used to clear hair buildup from bathroom drains.)
Baking Soda and Vinegar.
Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover the drain if possible. Let set for a few minutes, then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to flush it. The combination of baking soda and vinegar can break down fatty acids into soap and glycerin, allowing the clog to wash down the drain.
DO NOT USE THIS METHOD AFTER ANY COMMERCIAL DRAIN OPENER HAS BEEN USED OR IS STILL PRESENT IN THE STANDING WATER.
Salt and Baking Soda.
Pour 1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain. Follow with 6 cups boiling water. Let sit overnight and then flush with water. The hot water should help dissolve the clog and the baking soda and salt serve as an abrasive to break through the clog.
Mechanical Snake (and Garden Hose).
A flexible metal snake can be purchased or rented. It is threaded down the clogged drain and manually pushes the clog away. If used in conjunction with a running garden hose, it can even clear a blockage in the main drain to the street. First crank the snake and feed it into the pipe. Next withdraw the snake and flush the pipe by inserting a garden hose with the water turned on full. With some luck, it may save you the expense of a plumber.
Faucet Types and How to Repair Them:
The Basics Before you can start thinking about making repairs to your faucet, you need to first determine what kind of faucet you are dealing with. There are four types of faucets in common use in America today: compression faucets, and the so-called "washerless faucets" - cartridge faucets, ball faucets and disc faucets.
Compression faucets are the traditional old style faucets with two handles, one each for cold and hot. Inside each handle is a valve that opens to allow water to flow and close to block the flow. A rubber washer on the base of the valve gets "compressed" to block any small amounts of water from flowing and causing drips.
Cartridge faucets can be either single handled or two handled. The inside of the faucet has a stem cartridge that moves up and down to control water flow. Single handled cartridge faucets operate up and down to regulate water flow, and left and right to control temperature. Two handled cartridge faucets look similar to compression faucets, but feel different since they stop water flow without you having to actually "turn off" or compress a washer.
Ball faucets are easy to identify since they have a single handle that attaches to the faucet base with a round base. The ball shaped control has chambers built into it to control water volume and mix hot and cold.
Disc faucets are the most recent development in faucet technology. Once again they are single handled with a cylindrical shaped body. Inside the faucet are ceramic discs that slide over each other, controlling flow and temperature.
Faucet Repair Basics
No matter what kind of faucet you are dealing with, there are some basics when it comes to repairing any of them. First turn off the water to the faucet. There maybe individual water shut-off valves under the sink or you may need to shut off the main water supply for the house. Open taps and let any water in the pipe drain out. Put the drain stopper or a towel in the sink (in case you drop anything you don't want it going down the drain). To make sure you get the right replacement parts, take any parts you remove from the faucet with you to the plumbing supply store. That way you'll be sure to get an exact match.
Blue Planet Drains and Plumbing offers regular updates on our how to do lists. Clearly there are certain things you should leave to the professionals. Yet we feel it's important to keep our clinets informed. Please give us a call if you have any questions: Phone: (619) 863-9593
